Mr. MONTAGUE BARLOWasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the purchase of hay and fodder is being carried on by the Government by free purchase as far as the farmers are concerned 338W but by means of requisition so far as the hay dealers are concerned, and that the effect of this has been both to raise the price of hay in the market and also to press hardly on the dealers; and whether he will consider reverting to the former practice of purchase by tender both from farmers and dealers?
§ Mr. FORSTERIn accordance with a Circular issued by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries on the 16th July last, certain classes of hay suitable for Army purposes are not to be sold by the growers until the hay has been offered to and refused by the military authorities, and any such hay improperly disposed of in this way is being requisitioned. With this exception, requisitioning is not being resorted to, and the authorities are quite satisfied with the results of the present system of purchase. It is not proposed to revert to the former practice of purchase by tender.